Tips and protection for residents during the hurricane aftermath

Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez and the Office of Emergency Management urges residents to heed the following information due to debris caused by Hurricane Irma.

RESIDENTS SHOULD NOT CALL 911 EXCEPT IN CASE OF ACTUAL EMERGENCIES.

Flooded Areas-

DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH A FLOODED AREA: Do not drive around road barriers, or through large puddles. Hidden debris may be just under the surface that could disable your car.

Debris on Roads-

Miami-Dade County Solid Waste Management has begun clearing on major access roads leading to emergency health care facilities.

Availability of emergency medical treatment subsequent to the storm is of utmost importance. Clearing of arterial roads and residential streets will not begin until these priority roads have been cleared.

Electrical Safety-

Miami-Dade residents are warned to stay away from fallen electrical wiring. Do not touch fallen or low-hanging wires of any kind under any circumstances. A wire that appears harmless could be crossed with a live wire and could be deadly. Whether on the ground, hanging free, or attached to an object - do not touch it.

Stay away from puddles because they could be in contact with fallen wires.

Do not cut trees or limbs that are touching or even near power lines. When reinstalling a radio, TV or satellite antenna, first check in all directions and make certain that no power lines are nearby.

Keep anyone, especially children and pets, far away from power lines, trees in contact with power lines, and repair crews. The work they are doing is very dangerous to everyone but trained, properly equipped repair crews.

FPL is in the process of restoring service as quickly as possible.

Turn off lights and appliance switches until power is restored in your neighborhood. This will avoid power system overloads that may further delay electric service. Please be patient.

Generator Safety-

Do not to use an electrical generator inside a house or other enclosed structure. Carbon monoxide fumes emitted from the generator are toxic and can be lethal.

Ground your generator according to the instructions provided.

Do not connect your generator directly into your home’s wiring system. It is a fire hazard and poses a risk to FPL personnel restoring power to your area.

Residents may access official Miami-Dade County emergency information at www.miamidade.gov/emergency, call the 311 Contact Center or follow us @MiamiDadeCounty on Twitter and Facebook.